YouTube offers built-in automatic captions that are displayed by default to viewers.
But these are not perfectly accurate and easy to customize.
In this guide, we’ll explore various methods to add captions and subtitles to your YouTube Shorts effectively.
Yes, YouTube Shorts has an auto-caption feature that automatically transcribes spoken words into text just like for normal YouTube videos.
YouTube’s auto-captioning system relies on AI-powered speech recognition to generate subtitles. These captions appear in sync with your spoken words and can be edited later for accuracy. When a creator uploads a video, YouTube processes the audio and generates captions automatically. This feature works for most languages, but availability may vary depending on region and video language.
If your channel has captions enabled by default, YouTube will automatically generate subtitles for your Shorts. However, creators can always review and edit these captions in YouTube Studio to correct any errors. Since AI-generated captions may occasionally misinterpret words, it’s important to double-check them before publishing your video.
YouTube’s built-in captioning tool automatically transcribes your video’s audio. Follow these steps to enable and edit auto captions for your Shorts.
Open YouTube Studio and navigate to the Create section. Record a new Short or upload an existing video. Ensure your audio is clear, as YouTube’s speech recognition technology works best with minimal background noise and clear pronunciation.
Once your video is uploaded, YouTube will automatically process the audio and generate captions. To check if captions are enabled:
If captions are not automatically generated, ensure that your channel settings allow captions by going to Settings > Upload defaults > Advanced Settings and enabling Automatic captions.
YouTube’s AI-generated captions are generally accurate, but errors may occur, especially with fast speech, technical terms, or background noise. To edit captions:
While YouTube does not offer extensive customization for auto captions, you can improve their readability by:
Once you’re satisfied with your captions, click Save & Publish. Your video will now display accurate subtitles to all viewers. Captions will automatically be available for those watching with sound off or needing transcription.
If you prefer full control over your captions, YouTube allows you to add them manually. This method ensures that your subtitles are accurate and well-timed, providing a better experience for your audience. Follow these steps to manually add captions to your Shorts.
Begin by uploading a new Short or recording one directly in the YouTube app. Ensure the audio is clear and well-paced for easier captioning.
If you have a pre-made caption file (e.g., .srt or .vtt), you can upload it instead of typing manually:
If you prefer to watch YouTube Shorts without captions, you can disable them easily. Here’s how to turn off subtitles:
While YouTube’s built-in auto-captioning system is useful, it’s not always perfect. For more control over accuracy, timing, and styling, you can use external tools like Checksub to create professional captions :
Start by logging into Checksub. Upload your YouTube Short by selecting the video file from your device. Checksub supports various video formats, making it easy to work with your content.
After uploading, choose the original language of your video. If you want to reach a global audience, you can also select additional languages for translation. This feature ensures your content is accessible to viewers worldwide.
Once the video is uploaded, Checksub will automatically transcribe the audio using advanced AI-driven speech recognition. The process usually takes just a few minutes, depending on the length and complexity of your video.
After transcription, you’ll be able to review and refine the generated captions. Checksub’s online editor allows you to:
Checksub also offers customization options to help you match the captions to your video style. You can:
Once you’re satisfied with your captions, you can export them in multiple formats, such as SRT, VTT, or embedded text. If you want to manually upload them to YouTube, follow these steps:
Alternatively, you can embed the subtitles directly into the video, ensuring that captions are always visible, even when auto-captions are turned off.
Want professional, readable, and engaging captions on your YouTube Shorts ? Try Checksub for free.
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